Topic 4: Problem Definition Flashcards
1
Q
Why is problem definition NB for research?
A
- The research quality is limited by the quality of the problem definition
- A poorly defined problem results in useless research, even if carried out flawlessly.
2
Q
What are decision statements and how do researchers use them?
A
- A written expression of the key questions a research-user wishes to answer.
- Researchers translate real-world decision statements made by research-users into research objectives.
3
Q
What is the problem definition process?
A
The process of creating relevant decision statements and then translating them into precise research terminology and research objectives.
4
Q
What affects complexity of a problem?
A
- Situation is recurring(easy) or new(hard)
- Dramatic changes(easy) or subtle changes(hard)
- Isolated symptoms(easy) or scattered symptoms(hard)
- Consistent symptoms(easy) or ambiguous symptoms(hard)
5
Q
3 ways that problems occur in business?
A
- Business performance is worse than expected business performance
- Actual business performance is less than possible business performance
- Expected business performance is greater than possible business performance
6
Q
6 steps of problem definition process
A
- Understand business situation-identify key symptoms (interview management; exploratory research; probe management for deeper explanations)
- Identify key problems from symptoms(consider symptom results of probing and creatively theorize potential problems)
- Create managerial decision statements and corresponding research objectives (express problems in actionable terms)
- determine unit of analysis (what/who provides data)
- determine key variables
- write research questions & hypotheses (actual testable statements)
7
Q
What is the purpose of a research proposal?
A
- It is a planning tool, detailing exactly how the research will be done, before it actually begins
- It is a contract, protecting the researcher from disputes with the research client about research methodology after research has happened
8
Q
What are the components of a research proposal?
A
- Current situation
- Purpose of the research including research objectives
- research design
- sample design
- data gathering techniques
- data processing and analysis
- budget
- time schedule